Keep gifts out of sight from would-be thieves

There are plenty of grinches out there who might try to ruin the holiday season by stealing presents. However, there are ways consumers can keep themselves - and their gifts - protected.

Recently Farmers Insurance released a number of tips for people shopping during the holiday season. For example, consumers should refrain from having packages in their cars wrapped with brightly-colored visible from the outside of their vehicle. Doing so could attract the attention of would-be thieves.

A better alternative would be for people to store their gifts and packages in their trunks. Also, consumers should be careful about gifts being displayed near their home's windows, as this could entice thieves to break in.

"Just following good safety practices will assure every family has a safe and happy holiday," Mark Toohey, a representative with Farmers Insurance, said.

If their packages do get stolen from a person's car, they should keep in mind that the theft is probably not covered by the auto insurance. Rather, thefts from cars are often taken care of through a person's home insurance policy. Consumers should make sure and contact their insurance agent to get specific details on how they are protected through their policies.